Past-timer needs pool etiquette advice

[gooselace]

It's been many years since I've been on a cruise and I wasn't a pool user then, so I have some questions. I know it's not appropriate to go to and from the pool in just one's swim suit, but is a terry-cloth robe, pareo, or beach-type coverup and flip-flops okay if one is just going to and from the cabin or should it be casual clothes suitable for the public spaces? If the former, do people sometimes use the robe from the cabin?

Are there special elevators for pool users as in some resort hotels. We are on the veranda deck, midship -- will we have to go through public areas, except the halls and elevators to get to the pool(s)?

And, more of a fashion-type question: will I look totally out of place in a basic black or other dark swimsuit with some lighter trimming instead of the bright florals usually pictured?

Any other 'Need-to-know" advice will be apppreciated.

[sail7seas]

Hi gooselace.


You will be absolutely fine in your black swimsuit. Many ladies (gents too for that matter) wear a black black swimsuit. :) Some of us think it 'more slimming'. :)

I have seen people use the robes in the cabins over their swimsuits and I have never really liked it. You would not be the only person who has ever done it. Seeing as you mentioned pareos and cover-ups, I think you will find the vast majority of folks wear either.

No special elevator. Pax use the regular elevators. The pool with the retractable roof is on Lido deck and on many of the ships, aft pool is on Navigation Deck which is only one up from where your cabin is on Verandah Deck.

Hope you have a great time.

Come back with any questions you may have. I am sure someone will be able to help you.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I always were my own, longer than normal, cover up over my bathing suit.

I have seen people ( and more so lately than ever before) use their bath robes to go to the pools and the whirlpools - don't like that idea.

Unfortunately, the ships don't have any special elevators or stairs just for people who use the pools.

[marybeach]

I have a mid thigh short-sleeved terry "dress" type cover up that I use to/from the pool/spa and several tee-shirt dresses to wear over my bathing suits. It is cool in the hallways, so I like having it on, as well as being a little more appropriate for the surroundings. Since it is more like a "dress", I also feel comfortable going into the lido for tea/coffee. Remember your skid resistant shoes/flip-flops. The floor is SLICK around the pool area and you must have them on to go in the lido. I would not wear this at all in the dining room and probably wouldn't sit in the lido with it on. I would grab something such as a sandwich or salad bar (or ice cream for some of you) and take it outside to the tables around the pool. JMHO.

[gooselace]

I have a mid thigh short-sleeved terry "dress" type cover up that I use to/from the pool/spa and several tee-shirt dresses to wear over my bathing suits. It is cool in the hallways, so I like having it on, as well as being a little more appropriate for the surroundings. Since it is more like a "dress", I also feel comfortable going into the lido for tea/coffee. Remember your skid resistant shoes/flip-flops. The floor is SLICK around the pool area and you must have them on to go in the lido. I would not wear this at all in the dining room and probably wouldn't sit in the lido with it on. I would grab something such as a sandwich or salad bar (or ice cream for some of you) and take it outside to the tables around the pool. JMHO.Thanks for the helpful advice. Think I'll go with the dark suits and dress-like coverups.

But now I'm confused :confused: -- I assumed that the "Land's End" tee-shirt dresses I have, knee-length or longer, solid color, no printing, and thicker than the average tee-shirt would be appropriate for sitting in the lido after the pool. I wouldn't wear my water shoes with them, but slip resistant sandals. If this isn't appropriate wear for sea days, I'm going to have to do some major shopping. I had assumed they would even be appropriate for lunch in the dining room. How about cotton pants and a casual top? These are what I wear daytime at the average restaurant here -- not just fast food places.

I've been on HAL before, the Rotterdam, many years ago and honestly don't remember what I wore. My most recent cruise was to Alaska on Princess, but I was much, much heavier then, so wore more conservative clothes -- no shorts;) .

So what should I be packing for daytime?

[sail7seas]

If you have been at the pool and wish to go into Lido to have your lunch, your swimsuit coverup t-shirt dress) is absolutely fine. The point is for everyone to not be dripping wet fresh out of the pool and to look 'presentable'. People are eating and who wants to look at some guys uncovered hairy chest while having lunch. If a lady wears a pareo or t-shirt dress/shift, short or long coverup they would be considered polite and appropriate. Let good taste rule. Seeing as you cared enough to inquire, you obviously will go to effort to dress appropriate to what HAL requests.

(Plain old 59 cent CVS/ Walgreen's flip flops are just fine on your feet if that is what you wish to wear. Just so long as you are not barefoot.)

Congratulations on your weight loss. Shorts and jerseys are perfect for day wear in the Caribbean.

[GayleArc]

Just back from 13 days on the Rotterdam and I wore my Lands End t-shirt cover-ups to the pool and also to the lido for lunch over my bathing suit. You
will be fine. Saw quite a few people in their HAL robes. Did not think it looked
that swell on the line for breakfest or lunch in the lido, but fine just to the pool.